Police enforcing safety on the water

Police officers were busy over the long weekend making sure people out enjoying the water were doing so safely.

"To check vessels for safety equipment, make sure it’s in good working order. For boaters, be mindful of other boaters, be mindful of the navigational rules, check the weather before heading out," said Constable Kevin Tremblay, of Greater Sudbury Police Service.

Boaters, like Phillippe Lebbe, received a quick reminder of what not to leave behind.

"We forgot a few things in the truck: the hatchet and the fire extinguishers that we picked up, we had to put that on board here, but other than that we had everything in line. And the flash light we left it in the truck, we got in late last night and it was dark, so we used the flashlight to hook up and then I put it on the dash, and I didn’t put it back in the boat. But other than that, we had everything," said Lebbe.

Sudbury's marine patrol unit also educated boaters about what type of boats can and cannot have alcohol on board.

"The vessels that can have to have: permanent sleeping accommodations, permanent cooking utilities, and a permanent washroom. That vessel has to be moored to a dock, anchored or ashore,” said Tremblay.

He says the best way to prevent a casualty on the water is to wear a proper fitting life jacket, and if you don't have the same amount of life jackets onboard as people on the boat, there will be a fine.

"So, for the first infraction, for not having a proper life jacket on board for the amount of people on board, is $200, and then it's $100 for each additional life jacket that’s missing,” said Tremblay.

Other safety equipment infractions are also set at $200, and more than one fine can be given at once.

"All the safety infractions are finding that either the equipment is not on board or it’s not in good working order. Not having a paddle or a bailer, make sure you have a waterproof flashlight on board, make sure you have a sound signalling device, a manual sound signalling device, whistling doesn’t cut it. So, it has to be a pealess whistle or an air horn,” said Tremblay.

Officers say it's important for all boaters to plan a route before heading out on the water and to make sure at least one person is aware of when you expect to be home

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Police patrol the waters in northern Ontario to make sure people follow the safety rules, including carrying the proper equipment. Molly Frommer reports.